Suggested Lesson Development

Invite a child to give the opening prayer.

Attention Activity

Display the picture of Captain Moroni. Ask the children to open their scriptures to Alma 46. Explain that the children will learn about two men who were each military commanders—Captain Moroni and Amalickiah. Amalickiah was a Nephite by birth, but he had entirely forgotten the Lord. By lying, deceit, and murder he became the king of the Lamanites. Amalickiah wanted to defeat the Nephites in battle so he could become king over both the Nephites and the Lamanites.

Captain Moroni was the chief commander of the Nephite armies. He was a strong and mighty man who loved the Lord and loved his people. He had sworn with an oath to protect his people from Amalickiah and his Lamanite army.

As Amalickiah and his army were preparing to destroy the Nephites, Captain Moroni was preparing his people to defend themselves.

Holding up the fabric (or paper), tear a large piece off, or draw a picture of a torn cloth on the chalkboard. Tell the children that Captain Moroni tore a piece from his coat and made it into a flag or banner that he called the title of liberty. Invite the children to read in unison Alma 46:12. Write the following words on one of the torn pieces of cloth or paper: “In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children.” If you have used cloth or paper, have the children attach the flag to the pole. Ask a child to post the flag in front of the classroom.

Scripture Account

Teach the children the account from Alma 46–49 of Captain Moroni, a mighty man of God who prepared his people to defend their liberty and freedom. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see “Teaching from the Scriptures,” p. vii.)

Discussion and Application Questions

Study the following questions and the scripture references as you prepare your lesson. Use the questions you feel will best help the children understand the scriptures and apply the principles in their lives. Reading the references with the children in class will help them gain insights into the scriptures.

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What was threatening the peace among the Nephites? (Alma 45:24; 46:1–2.) Why did so many people follow Amalickiah? (Alma 46:5.)

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What did Captain Moroni do when he heard of this conflict? (Alma 46:11–12.) After Captain Moroni made the title of liberty, what did he do? (Alma 46:13, 16.)

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What did Captain Moroni ask the Nephite people to do? (Alma 46:19–20.) Why do you think the words written on the title of liberty inspired the Nephites?

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What covenant did the people who followed Moroni make? (Alma 46:21–22.) How do you think making this covenant helped the people defend their liberty and their religion? What are some of the covenants we have made?

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What did Captain Moroni want his people to remember? (Alma 46:23–24. Point out that these verses refer to the Old Testament Joseph and his coat of many colors.)

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How were the preparations of the Nephites different from the preparations of the Lamanites? (Alma 48:7.) How did the Nephites try to protect their cities? (Alma 49:2, 4.) How can we prepare ourselves to defeat the influences of Satan?

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What had the Nephites been taught about war? (Alma 48:14.) What did they believe Heavenly Father would do for them? (Alma 48:15–16.)

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How did the prophet Mormon, who recorded this account, feel about Captain Moroni? (Alma 48:11–13, 17–18.) In what ways would you like to be like Captain Moroni?

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Even though the Nephites did not want to go to war, why did they fight the Lamanites? (Alma 48:23–24.)

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What happened to the Lamanites in their final battle against the City of Noah? (Alma 49:21–25.) What do you think gave the Nephites courage to fight this battle? What gives you courage to defend righteousness and freedom?

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After the Lamanites fled and the Nephites were delivered from their enemies, what did the Nephites do? (Alma 49:28.) How can we show gratitude for the freedoms we enjoy?

Enrichment Activities

You may use one or more of the following activities any time during the lesson or as a review, summary, or challenge.

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Have the children look at the picture of Captain Moroni. Review the importance of putting on the armor of God in order to protect ourselves from evil. Suggest that each child has been sent to earth by Heavenly Father at this time to defend righteousness and truth. Ask the children to identify each piece of Moroni’s battle armor (Alma 46:13) and tell what it represents as spiritual armor (see lesson 25 and Ephesians 6:11, 13–18).

Loin armor: Truth. This means to know right from wrong, to love the truth, to protect your virtue, and to be morally clean.

Breastplate: Righteousness. This means to choose the right and follow Jesus Christ.

Shield: Faith. This means to have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Helmet: Salvation. This means to be judged worthy to live with Heavenly Father forever.

Sword: The Spirit, or the Holy Ghost. This means to be directed by the Holy Ghost and the revealed word of Jesus Christ.

Shoes: The preparation of the gospel of peace. This means understanding the gospel so we will walk the strait and narrow path.

Give each child a copy of the handout included with this lesson, and work with the children to fill in the blanks on their papers. Have each child sign his or her name at the bottom. Invite two children to go to the front of the class and raise the title of liberty that was used during the attention activity. Have everyone read out loud the last statement on their paper, “I am ready to stand against the fiery darts of the wicked,” and discuss what that statement means. Have the children take their “Armor of God” papers home to show to their family.

Display your country’s flag. Explain that a flag is a wonderful reminder. Every nation has a flag that is a symbol to the people of who they are and what their nation stands for. Give the children a piece of paper or fabric and some art materials and ask them to design a personal flag that will show something that is important to them, such as who they are, what they enjoy, who they hope to be, and what they stand for. You might share some symbols that represent these things.